Peter Hibberd, M.D., is a doctor whose advice is based on more than 28 years of hospital outpatient and inpatient experience. He is an experienced emergency medicine physician, surgeon, and consultant. Dr. Hibberd is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is also a fellow and active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, an active member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and a member and fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Hibberd has earned numerous national and international professional certifications, memberships, and awards.

Can Drug Abuse Cause Dementia?

Question: Can a person get dementia from abusing medications for a certain amount of years?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:

Dementia is not a predictable side effect from existing prescription or nonprescription medications. That being said, you should know that higher dosing over long periods may have unreported effects.

Cigarette and cigar smoking does have a direct association with increasing risk of premature dementia. Street drugs are often "cut" with substances that can be toxic to our cells (and that includes our brain cells).

I regard street drug use, smoking and alcohol overuse as major contributors to the premature onset of dementia

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